Category Archives: Motherhood

May 12, 2009 · 6:00 am

He Makes All Things Good.

Good news.  I didn’t throw up. 

This past Saturday, I spoke at a Mother-Daughter Luncheon.  Anna participated in the annual fashion show revealing how she completely despises the spotlight.  I’ll see if I can get a video clip to post in the near future. 

I seriously enjoy that girl.  She’s a good balance for me and keeps any legalism I may exhibit from time to time in check. 

On Sunday, I spoke at Eagles Way Church.  I have to say I don’t take for granted the opportunity for God to use me from that pulpit.  My grandfather stood from that pulpit.  My dad stands from that pulpit every week.  My grandfather loved God’s Word more than anyone I’ve ever known.  My dad loves the Kingdom more than he loves himself.  They are both selfless men in that pulpit.  And, I had a heightened awareness that the pulpit is not about me.  Not.One.Bit.

I was nervous.  But, I had a calmness and peace that I knew could only come from God.  So, thanks to all of you who were praying.  Just another reason why I love the body of Christ.

Bigmama told me, “You did a real good job.  But, I was hopin’ you’d get happy in the end.”

“What do you mean by ‘happy’ Bigmama?”

“You know.  Where you get all excited and quote a bunch of scriptures,” she explained.

I love that woman.  She can say whatever she wants to me.  It was, after all, her husband who stood from the pulpit first.

I was pretty tired Sunday afternoon.  I spent the afternoon watching some cheesy Lifetime movie with my mom.  She loves cheesy Lifetime movies.  And, I love her.  I also apparently love cheesy Lifetime movies, because once I start watching one, I have to watch it play out.  Cra-zee.

After a delayed flight, we made it back to Oklahoma.  When I tucked Anna in, she told me, “God and Jesus make good things.”  It reminded me of this scripture in Romans 8:28:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

The verse that follows says, “For God knew his people in advance….” 

God loves you.  He knew you before you were ever conceived.  He was already on the other side of whatever you are going through right now long before you were thought of.  He has already made all things good.  Don’t lose heart.  Your victory is on its way.  And, if I need to get happy and quote a bunch of scriptures to remind you, just let me or Bigmama know.

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May 8, 2009 · 6:00 am

You Cannot Lose My Love

You Cannot Lose My Love
by Sara Groves

You will lose your baby teeth.
At times, you’ll lose your faith in me.
You will lose a lot of things,
But you cannot lose my love.

You may lose your appetite,
Your guiding sense of wrong and right.
You may lose your will to fight,
But you cannot lose my love.

You will lose your confidence.
In times of trial, your common sense.
You may lose your innocence,
But you cannot lose my love.

Many things can be misplaced;
Your very memories be erased.
No matter what the time or space,
You cannot lose my love.
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose my love.

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John Henry & Anna Marie,

You cannot ever, ever, ever lose my love.

I love you,
Mom

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May 7, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Little Mommy Check-Up

Today, I’ll share one thing that’s been buggin’ me about me as Mom.

I nag.

Too much.

I didn’t really think of it as a nag.

But, it is.  Really, it is.

Here of late, I’ve realized that tend to expect too much out of my children.  I fail to choose my battles wisely.  I’m teetering on the edge….maybe, I’ve fallen over the edge of being a bit legalistic as a parent.  I so want them to make the right decisions, that I nag them when they make poor choices.

Do you really think they will want to come to me with their insecurities, their mistakes, and their problems if they are afraid I will nag them?  Or, even worse, make them feel less than the beautiful, child of God they are?

No.

So, I’ve made a commitment to change this.

It doesn’t mean that Anna will get away with cutting up my bedding or John Henry will get away with telling a lie.

But, it does mean that every once in a while, I’ll overlook those shoes left in the living room.  I’ll lighten up when they don’t handle a situation the way I think they should have. 

I will be more careful – more deliberate – in how I respond to them. 

 I want them to know I’m a safe place.  And, that they can come to me with anything.  Without fear.  Because, I love them so, so, so very much.

Anything buggin’ you moms or dads?

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April 28, 2009 · 6:00 am

I Pray For You, You Pray For Me.


I’m going to take a day or three off from the blog to take care of my youngins.  John Henry has pneumonia, so prayers are always appreciated.  We are not worried, because we know Who is in control.  And, God loves him more than I do.  So, holla!

James 5:16 tells us to “pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”  So, if you’d like, leave a prayer request in the comment section of the post.  I’ll pray for you, and we can all pray for one another.  Cool?

Your comments go directly to my e-mail which goes directly to my nifty iPhone which rarely leaves my side.  You’ll be in my thoughts.  And, I know John Henry will be in yours.

Love y’all.  Mean it.

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April 20, 2009 · 6:00 am

Bend It Like Anna.


God has been dealing with me on a thing or twenty that I’ll share later in the week.  Today, I just had to post some pics of Anna in her first soccer game ever.  Because, I love her.  And, she makes me laugh so hard.

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She really enjoyed herself and her over-sized soccer shirt that could double as a dress.  That didn’t stop her from getting in there in and dominating posing on the soccer field.  When she noticed I had my camera aimed at her cute self, she decided to turn, stop, and smile.  Headed tilted and all.  Instead of taking the picture, I did what any good mother would do.  I yelled, “Go!  Go!  Your team is on the OTHER side of the field!”  So, she returned to face her fiersome opponents. 

When she wasn’t winking at me or striking a pose, she did manage to take the ball away from her opponents and teammates.  We were so proud when she handled the ball so well, kicking it with all her might towards the goal.  So what if it was the other team’s goal.  She was in the zone. 

The Chargers did lose.  But, please don’t tell her.  When she asked who won, I said her team did.  Because, all good mothers lie to their children for the sake of their self-esteem. 

In other news, my good friend, Shari, came out for a visit.  She made it just in time for Anna’s soccer game.

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Shari looks a wee bit more excited than Anna here.  But, no worries.  The High School Musical backpack Shari gave her won her right over.

Is it just me or does Shari favor Beth Moore in this pic?  Take a closer look.

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It kind of makes me want to persuade Shari tell me more about the disciple, John or somethingoranother.  But, alas, we will just shop instead.

That’s all folks. 

 

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April 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

Yes, Bearded People Are My Friends.


Yesterday turned out to be an eventful day despite remaining in my house most of the day with a four year old who insisted I rub her back for an hour at a time.  Once three o’clock rolled around, I knew it was time get out of my pajamas and pick up John Henry from school.  Then, after a quick trip to Wal-Mart (insert sigh), I gave a dollar to my homeless guy.  Not sure why I refer to him as my homeless guy other than he’s my favorite one to give to?

Moving on.

“Who is that?”  Anna asked.

“It’s a man who doesn’t have a home,” I ‘splained.

“Well, he can come live with us,” she suggested.  “He can sleep on the floor in your room.”

“I don’t think daddy would like that, and I’d really have to hear from God on that one,” I told her.

So, in jumps John Henry.

“And, people might think we had someone strange in our family if he lived with us,” John Henry added.  (I wanted to tell him that we actually do have some strange ones in our family, but I’ll just let him figure that one out in his own time.  You know.  Kind of like working your way through your own salvation.) 

“Oh, I see.  He’s strange because he has a beard,” Anna said.

Exactly.  Because he has a beard.  Wha?

Sometimes, you just go with it.

Later that evening, we went to John Henry’s Spring Program at his school.  He and his class sang Jami Smith’s “Your Love Is Deep.”  I could have sworn it was just for me.  You know those moments you needed to be reminded of God’s love, and you didn’t even know you needed it?  I had one of those.  God is good.  Yes, He is.

So, even later that evening, I went out to meet up with some of my Bible Study girls.  For fella-ship and to talk about stuff that’s not in the Bible but should’ve been.  Or, perhaps, not.  Anyhoo, when I headed back home, I noticed the most amazing lightening show ev-ah!  Wow.  Things you don’t really see when you’re inside playing Scramble on your iPhone. 

So, that’s pretty much it.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  And, just in case you need a reminder of His love.  I’ll leave you with one of my fav-oh-right scriptures.

…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 1 8may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3:17-19

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April 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

So far this week….


Anna has insisted on wearing two pairs of underwear so she can “hold my pee longer.”

When John Henry and Anna disobeyed and were awaiting their impending discipline, John Henry said, “I forgot, Mom.  Can’t you please understand,” through his pitiful tears.

I had to discipline still, and it broke my heart.

I’ve had to remind myself of the “We Won’t Always Understand” more than once.

I got a little emotional over Matt’s save on American Idol….even though I text my vote for Kris one or one-hundred times every week.  (Not the husband Kris.  I can hardly encourage his vocals in the shower.)

I’ve watched my warrior of a husband get hit from all sides and still draw back his arrow, aim, and shoot. 

I’ve read “Purplicious” more times than I would have cared to.

And, I’ve thanked God that I am a Christ-follower, a wife, a mother, and an American Idol fan.  So, I didn’t thank God that I’m an American Idol fan.  But, I am pretty excited to watch it every week.

And you?  So far this week?

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April 14, 2009 · 6:00 am

Becoming A Little More Intentional.


As a Christ-follower and mother, my children are my most important mission field.  I do my darndest to disciple them in the day to day life stuff.  However, God is showing me to become more intentional with how I pray and disciple them.

Right now, I am intentionally praying for John Henry to grow in confidence in who He is in Christ and who Christ is in Him.  I am praying that his security will be wrapped up in Him.  I realize that this will enable John Henry to be leader.

Right now, I am intentionally praying for Anna to be a pursuer of Christ and have a heart to always want to worship Him.  I realize that this will enable Anna to always make God a priority.

I’m trying to be more attuned to what area each needs to grow.  And, I’m intentionally discipling and praying for them accordingly.  Sight words and the ability to count money are surely imperative lessons that will make their lives easier.  But, learning who Christ is in them will make their lives full.

What are you intentionally praying over your children?

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April 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

I love to feel how small her hand is in mine.


I love bedtime with my children.  For one, they are going to bed.  Praise all ye heavenly hosts.  And, for two, it often serves as a catalyst for some sweet exchanges. 

A couple of nights ago, I tucked Anna in.  I read her a book of her choice.  And, then we talked about what it means to have Jesus in her heart.  She quickly interjected, “Wait, Mom.  I have Jesus in this heart, God in this heart, and my family in my middle heart.” 

I pressed her tender, rosy cheek to mine.  I brushed her soft, fine hair with my fingertips.  And, I told her I loved her with every single fiber of my being.

I gently closed her door, then thought…  I will miss these moments one day. 

So, I begged for time to please slow down.

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March 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Do you read chapter books?


I love reading to my kids.  And, they love me reading to them.  Partly because they love to hear a good story, and partly because it prolongs that kiss goodnight followed by their bedroom door closing gently.  I’ve read everything from “Goodnight Moon” to them when they were infants, to every single Mercer Mayer book as toddlers.  We’ve taken a pig to school and a mouse to the movies.  Eric Carle made us appreciate the butterfly’s metamorphosis.  David McPhail has charmed us with favorites like “Mole Music.” 

“The Kissing Hand” saw my first-born off to his first day of Kindergarten.  And, “The Giving Tree” still makes my eyes water.

We’ve progressed from me reading Dr. Seuss to John Henry reading Dr. Seuss.  The book fair loves us.  And, my Barnes and Noble member’s card has more than paid for itself. 

When John Henry saw me reading my own book the other day, he queried, “Does your book have chapters?”

“Yes,” I told him.

“Wow!  I want some chapter books!”  He decided.

He didn’t have to ask for “chapter books” twice.  So, off we went in search of new books.  With chapters.  And, I decided to begin reading chapter books to them at night.  John Henry picked out his own to read himself.  I chose the classic, “Charlotte’s Web” to read to both of them.  Each night I read one chapter – sometimes two – to them.  The anticipation that builds from night to night on what Wilbur is going to get into or what that wise, old spider is going teach is just plain fun.  And, great bonding time.

We’ve planned a “Charlotte’s Web” party once we finish the book which includes the movie and popcorn.  No party is complete without Junior Mint and Sour Patch Kids.  Of course, you already knew that.  Then, we’ll be onto our next chapter book.  And, our next book party.

What are some of your favorite books you read to your kids?

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